Jaguar Lives, featuring Christopher Lee (Lord of the Rings) and scenery chewing master class in screen villainy from Donald Pleasence (Halloween), is a James Bond-riffing action classic from the Halcyon days of the back street video shop.

1979 World Karate Champion Joe Lewis is the Jaguar; a man betrayed who is drawn back into the shady world of international crime fighting when a Heroin cartel sweeps to power across the Middle East and threatens to unbalance world peace. Only one man can infiltrate the borderless gang of criminal masterminds and that man is... The Jaguar. He will stop at nothing and he’s ready to kill to bring down the pushers and keep the streets clean.

Great to see this late-night TV staple from my childhood getting the treatment it deserves. Now if only Joe's FORCE: FIVE would get a proper release...

Christoffer S

08-22-2010, 09:06 AM

I feel this is a film I just MUST SEE!

Troy Howarth

08-22-2010, 03:48 PM

I've long been curious about this one, due to Lee, Pleasence and Huston... lots of Bond veterans in this one!

Daniel M

08-22-2010, 11:03 PM

Despite the presence of those heavyweights, I recall it being a fairly routine actioner, pretty much on par with Robert Clouse's Joe Lewis vehicle FORCE: FIVE.

But it's a shame Joe didn't go on to bigger and better lead roles, he had looks, skills, and wasn't half bad as an actor. I was always surprised Corman or Cannon didn't scoop him up in the 80s.

Chris Kewley

08-23-2010, 12:00 AM

Despite the presence of those heavyweights, I recall it being a fairly routine actioner, pretty much on par with Robert Clouse's Joe Lewis vehicle FORCE: FIVE.

But it's a shame Joe didn't go on to bigger and better lead roles, he had looks, skills, and wasn't half bad as an actor. I was always surprised Corman or Cannon didn't scoop him up in the 80s.

I'll agree up to the acting part, & yes Cannon should have grabbed him, but Joe makes Jalal Merhi look half decent as an actor(at least in his first few flicks). I'm really happy to see this film get a legit release, but outside of the Emanuelle style set pieces(talking about the world traveling stuff) this movie rather stinks. Not that its not an enjoyable turd, but the fight choreography is well below standard(with a few exceptions), acting terrible, Lee & Pleasence do cameo's, can't remember how long Huston is in the film but don't recall it being that big a part.
It sounds like I'm dumping on this film, which I'm not, go into it with a Gymkata vibe & you'll be all right.